Gov. Steve Beshear, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office for Local Development (GOLD) and the Recreational Trails Advisory Board, has announced the approval of 25 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants for a total allocation of $1,231,844.

“I am pleased to approve these grants for projects which will continue to promote an active, outdoor lifestyle for families and individuals across the commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “The Recreational Trails Program is essential for maintaining and expanding our state’s existing network of trails that cater to such a variety of interests and ages.”

The RTP is an assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Kentucky’s RTP is administered by GOLD and requires that applicants match the amount of funds requested to receive a 50% reimbursement on approved projects. Those eligible to apply are city and county governments, state and federal agencies, and non-profit organizations.

RTP grants may be used to provide assistance for acquisition of easements, development and/or maintenance of recreational trails and trailhead facilities for both motorized and non-motorized use. Examples of trail uses include hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, off-road motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle riding.

For a list a the projects receiving grants, visit the Commonwealth of Kentucky's website.

Tags: Government | Grants

From the Kentucky Standard

A 67-year-old Bardstown man was found dead in the Beech Fork River Tuesday. Authorities had searched for John Brantley Stephens, 5120 Springfield Road, since he was reported missing Sunday by his daughter.

He was last seen May 8, according to police.

At about 8 a.m. on Sunday, sheriff’s deputies found Stephens’ silver Dodge Dakota pickup truck stuck in the mud on Manton Road, according to police. Stephens was described as being in poor health, according to Gary Luce of Marion County EMS.

A search for Stephens ensued, centered near the Nelson/Washington county line, by units from the Bardstown Fire and Nelson County Sheriff’s departments and emergency personnel from Washington and Marion counties, who were providing mutual aid.

Stephens’ body was found several miles down river near KY 49 at about 11:40 a.m. by deputies searching the river.

The investigation is ongoing pending the medical examiner’s review.

Tags: Beech Fork | Bardstown

Here is the screen for the Paddle Pickup Shirts. We tend to keep these shirts a little old school. We don't know what color these shirts will be yet. Leave your choice for the color of the shirts in the comments below.

The Paddle Pickup will be on Saturday, May 31st. Meet at Keene's Depot at 9 a.m.

Shirts will be given away to the first 60 volunteers. See you at the Paddle Pickup!

Tags: Paddle Pickup | Gear | Shirts

download

We are starting up a song of the week post here at the Bardstown Boaters website. These are songs that we are feeling for the moment and are good on and off the water. So load this one up for your next shuttle to the Rockcastle.

For the first week we are starting off with some local flavor. The brand new title track from the upcoming album, Evil Urges by My Morning Jacket.

Tags: Music

The Bardstown Boaters were on the Elkhorn late Monday. The level was at the minimum 400 cfs, but it was still a good day to be on the water. Micahel and Zack headed up one crew, getting on a little earlier. Jay, Josh and Spalding were part of the second group down.

After scrambling around to borrow a helmet, Thanks to BWA's JBob for that, the group was ready for an easy paddle down.

The surfing wasn't all that great, mainly due to Angioplasty not being in. Looks like it is gone completely. The best bet for surfing at 400cfs is the very next rapid.

Tags: Elkhorn Creek

Many have often wondered about what happens to the tires retrieved from the Paddle Pickup? Well now we know the entire life cycle of the these tires.

Tires are made at the factory. After they are done being raced with at the local speedway, they are conveniently pitched into the Beech Fork. Once a year the Paddle Pickup rolls around and local boaters not so conveniently retrieve them from the river. These tires are then taken to the Nelson County Landfill and separated from the other garbage. A company from Marion County then picks them up for a fee paid for by the Landfill. They are then recycled into either mulch or used as a supplement for burning coal which in turn powers the factory so it can produce some more tires.

Learn more by joining us at this years Paddle Pickup!

Tags: Paddle Pickup | Environment

This year's meeting place for the Paddle Pickup will be at Keen's Depot on Old Bloomfield Pike in Bardstown, Kentucky. We will meet at 9am. Patrick Hayden has graciously opened his doors to us as the jumping point for our annual river cleanup.

The Paddle Pickup is on Saturday May 31st. The Bardstown Boaters along with local Boy Scout Troops and members of the community will be paddling the Beech Fork in Nelson County and removing garbage from the waterway.

This is the 4th year for the Paddle Pickup. We receive support from Central Kentucky Canoe & Kayak, City of Bardstown, Nelson County Government and The Rotary Club.

The Bardstown Boaters hold the Paddle Pickup in conjunction with National River Cleanup Week. In the past the club has removed over 3 tons of waste from the river.

Pass around the Paddle Pickup flyer and join us on May 31st! For more information visit the Paddle Pickup webpage or talk to us in the forum.

Tags: Paddle Pickup

Josh Carpenter has a new kayak.

Finally got a playboat this week, got a used Fun. Got to take it out today on the Rockcastle. Going from the Mamba to a play boat that I weigh in on the heavy side of is quite a transition. I was getting squirted in everyrapid and constantly fighting to stay up. Eric had also just got a new Playboat, a Dagger Agent. We were both excited about the new boats, Eric was so excited his shoulder popped out on the first rapid, Beech N. I thought we were going to have to hike out right there before I ever even got a chance to try the new boat out. Luckilly he was able to put it back in himself and actually paddled amazingly well the rest of the trip. I think its time for me to take a first aid class so we will be better prepared, today proved how easily and random it can happen and I was not prepared for the situation. Anyway we both had a good time, we each swam in the new boats, and well were still working on the cartwheels.

Tags: Gear

A group of ten Bardstown Boaters paddled 20 miles of the Beech Fork on Saturday and Sunday. They ran from Maud, KY to Highway 49.

Here are pictures from the trip.

Here is the GPS Route of the trip.

Jay Thomas has this report.

Great trip. Then entire Maud to HWY 49 is a great run, but the Maud to Fredericksburg section is a definite plus with many riffles and current to keep everything moving. At 300 CFS the entire run was done at the minimum required flow IMO. I'm interested to see the Maud to Fredericksburg with more water. Wildlife was the coolest with sightings of a racoon, deer, and plenty of birds. Several red tail hawk nests along the float keep the prey birds soaring and screaching. Plus the surprising nesting sights of the herons. At only two locations along the float Bill counted over 100 nests, at both locations most nests crowded in one to two trees.

Manton Bridge to HWY 49 is a wonderful section to have the Paddle Pickup, as long as there is enough flow. There is plenty of trash to pickup and water time of only about 3 hours it should be great. I think the 250 to 300 cfs should be a minimum for that.

Tags: Beech Fork | Overnighter

Final Master Plan Presentation

April 22, 2008

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Eastern High School
12400 Old Shelbyville Rd.

21st Century Parks, Inc. invites you to attend the fourth in a series of public meetings managed by Wallace, Roberts and Todd, LLC, selected master planners for the Floyd's Fork Greenway Project (The Fork). Attendees will be able to review the final Master Plan for the parks and trails along Floyd's Fork. The meeting will be held at the Eastern High School auditorium on Tuesday, April 22nd. Doors will open at 6pm with a presentation to follow. You can also view the final presentation at www.21cparks.org after April 22nd.

As part of the "City of Parks" initiative, the Floyd's Fork Greenway Project (The Fork) will encompass a system of parks, trails and open spaces roughly following Floyd's Fork from Shelbyville Road to Bardstown Road.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if anyone has a disability and requires assistance, or if you have a general question regarding this meeting, please notify Janice Hogue on (502) 583.0350.

Tags: Floyds Fork | Environment

The Paddle Battle on Salt River is an endurance canoe and kayak race geared to test paddlers' stamina and skill on a course between Taylorsville and Shepherdsville on the main stem of the river.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 14th in Taylorsville, the race will continue for the next 24 hours until all paddlers end up at the Louisville South KOA campground, where free camping is made available for participants.

Paddlers in the open canoe and kayak class are expected to begin arriving at the finish line sometime before 7 p.m. Saturday, while those entering in stock divisions will spend their night at one of several designated camping stops along the river - finishing the course Sunday morning just before the awards banquet begins.

Getting off rain or shine, low or high-water, the event will be, without a doubt, it will be a challenge for all.

"There have been canoe races on the Salt before, but never seen anything like this," Hammons said. "This is a great opportunity for those wanting to explore the main stem who never have had the oomph or partner to do it alone. It's also great way to bring much-needed attention to one of the tri-county area's greatest resources."

Cost to enter the race is $30 and includes Sunday brunch, a t-shirt and a chance at winning prize awards for beating out the rest of the field. Those interested in participating need to pre-register with Mike Hammons by calling (502) 507-9364 or online at www.kycanoe.com. Deadline to register is May 30.

Tags: Salt River

Elkhorn City may beat out Bardstown on the chance at having the first Kentucky whitewater park.

From Boatertalk

We (the Elkhorn City Heritage Council) were notified yesterday that we'd won a grant to develop a feasibility study to create several streambed play features in the downtown Elkhorn City area.

As many of you might know, the Russell runs right through the middle of Elkhorn City, with a decent bit of gradient. There are several spots we've looked at over the years that, with minimal 'help', could become sweet play spots. Now we've got a few dollars (ok, more than a few) to pay the professionals who do this kind of thing.

Our mantra for this project is 'minimalism is best'. We're hoping to create features that come in when the river is down to its normal low summer flows (around 200cfs), but remain in as the river gets up to fall release flows (800+). We are absolutely NOT trying to divert the streambed, alter the normal flows, etc, etc. If we can't do it in the existing streambed with minimal work, we're not doing anything. Also, this work is NOT be tied to the efforts to get low water releases on the Fork in summer. What we have in mind wouldn't rely on any supplement to the natural flow.

Our goal, of course, is to broaden the appeal of whitewater on the RF and get more folks into downtown E.C. Our models are the several Colorado locations which have created these types of 'whitewater parks' in existing streambeds.

BTW, a major component of the grant is a local education campaign to try to wean everyone from the county judge to the local dog-catcher from referring to all whitewater activities as 'raftin'. While we got nothing against raftin, that's certainly not what the vast majority of paddlers are doing here. We'll also be heading into the local schools pushing the youth to get interested. The Council will be purchasing a creek boat and boating gear (paddle, helmet, pfd) for these public presentations, along with some whitewater videos featuring the Fork. We're always open to interested sponsors.

The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council is a registered 501c3 non-profit corporation.

Tags: Whitewater Park | Russell Fork

The 2008 flyer for the Paddle Pickup is here. Download it, print it out and tell all your friends!



Download Flyer (8mb)

Tags: Paddle Pickup | Environment | Beech Fork

The 2008 Bourbon City Challenge planning stages are under way and the director of the event, Bob White has the following news about the big event set for September 14th, 2008.

From Bob White

Despite the rain and mud, you folks came through in a great show of sportsmanship, with smiles shining through the grit, to give this event a name for itself in the inaugural year. Thank you for making it great!

We are in the planning stages for this year's event - looking for sponsors, volunteers to help with the trail preparation and guidance help on race day. Of course more racers are welcome, so talk your friends into joining you this year.

If you, or if you know of someone who, would like to have an active role in this year's event, please contact me via email so we can get to work to make this year's race even better than 2007. We're looking for friendly folks who enjoy working in the outdoors with a bunch of cool people in making, not only the race better, but also Sympson Lake shores a bit nicer.

Also, we have yet to secure a title sponsor. Bulleit Bourbon last year really helped out and we hope they again pledge their support. The title sponsor received more than a million, total, mentions through television, radio and print promotions regarding the race, so it's well worth supporting.

Thanks again for making this race so great!

For more information visit www.kyrace.com

Tags: Adventure Race | Bardstown

Tags: Environment

The second public meeting concerning what can be done locally to positively affect and decrease global warming was Monday evening at the Bardstown-Nelson County Civic Center.

Results from small-group discussions at the last meeting, which outlined things individuals can do about climate change were shared with attendees. Some of the ideas included: recycling, growing backyard gardens, composting, supporting the local Farmer’s Market, walking more and driving less, bringing bags to the grocery store and recycling rain water.

The next Climate Change meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. April 24 and will focus on what churches can do to lead in the effort for reducing the effects of climate change.

Tags: Environment | Bardstown

Reported By Spalding Hurst

While in the Boston, KY area yesterday, I had a chance to check out a portion of the Beech Fork near my cousin's farm. I couldn't believe what I found. A perfect surfing wave that seems to be good at many levels and with great access from Highway 62. I would compare this wave to Surfers on the Cumberland though not as wide.

What is even stranger is it appears that some kayakers have been to this spot before. I found a pogie on the ground!

The level this day was about 850cfs, but it looks to be very good at most any level.

I am pumped about this wave. As soon as I get on it and get some pictures of it I plan to name it after the club. I am going to try and go down there again one night this week.

Tags: Bardstown | Beech Fork

The Bardstown Boaters are looking for feedback on the possible new design for the 2008 club shirt.

Please leave your comments below. Or you can discuss these shirts in the club forum.

Tags: Gear

The City of Bardstown will make its entry into recycling later this year. For a growing number of residents, adopting a recycling plan is coming none too soon. Others are apt to be a bit more wary and perhaps even a bit skeptical as to benefits vs. costs of recycling.

The city’s approach — taking baby steps into a program rather than diving head first without knowing if there’s water in the pool — seems to be a wise one. What the city intends is to form a cooperative effort with Nelson County and Nelson County Industries. The plan calls for establishing two centralized drop sites, unmanned, one in the city and the other in the county, for persons to drop off recyclables. To begin, the city plans to accept No. 1 and 2 plastics, mixed paper, aluminum, cans and cardboard. At this point glass will not be accepted. Local government is hoping to receive a grant, paying for about six trailers with multiple bins.

This will be an excellent way to gauge true community interest in recycling. Lots of people can talk a good game; proof in the pudding will be measured in tonnage.
Some are disappointed that curbside service is not being offered. There are known positives and negatives, however, with curbside programs. More than 10 years ago, a piece in The New York Times Magazine seriously questioned the benefits, charging that “recycling may be the most wasteful activity in modern America” and noting curbside service “uses more energy than it serves.”

There are certainly those who would rebuff such statements as it is clear that basic recycling of aluminum, cans, glass, and plastics has far-reaching benefits to the environment.

While there is some debate whether curbside recycling is more or less expensive than regular trash pickup, everyone agrees there are costs involved. Is it government’s responsibility to subsidize the costs? Are those clamoring for curbside service willing to pay $8, $10, $12 or more per month (in addition to their garbage bill)?

Thus, the city’s direction in entering recycling slowly is not only a start but is a calculated decision that makes sense. As we go down the green walkway, also we are reminded of the adage of employing the two R’s (reduce and reuse) before the third R (recycling) even becomes an option. Now that is something on which all of us can agree.

Tags: Recycling | Bardstown

Heavy rain in the area Wednesday resulted in flood warnings and road closures this week. The National Weather Service, Louisville, put the Rolling Fork River near Boston under a flood warning through Friday evening. Minor flooding of the river was reported early Thursday at 35 1/2 feet. Flood stage for the Rolling Fork River is 35 feet.

Some roads but mostly ditches became flooded after “a lot of rain,” Wednesday, Nelson County Road Department assistant supervisor James “Kroger” Phillips said. Two roads were closed due to flooding— D. Head Road, which is designed for water to go over it when the pipes are unable to handle the amount of water coming through them, and Old Nelsonville Road, which is near the river and therefore prone to flooding, Phillips said. Water on both roads was still “way up,” Thursday and remained closed. Phillips said the roads would be monitored throughout the day Friday.

The National Weather Service recommends that if drivers or passersby approach flooded roads not to attempt crossing, especially at night. Flooding is expected to subside this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, Louisville.

Tags: Flood

The Bardstown Boaters are planning an over night canoe trip on the Beech Fork on April 18-19th. This will serve as a information gathering expedition for the Paddle Pickup as The bardstown Boaters will be looking for a new section of the river to clean up. Please feel free to join in on this laid back flat water trip down our most local of water ways.

You can discuss the details of the trip in the forum at this link. You can find out more information about this year's Paddle Pickup here.

Tags: Paddle Pickup | Beech Fork | Overnighter

Darrin Hines of the Viking Canoe Canoe Club, Jay Thomas of the Bardstown Boaters, Dave Stawicki of Elkhorn Paddlers, Zina Merkin of the EAMG and Kevin Colburn and Mark Singleton of American Whitewater held a meeting last night to discuss the Elkhorn Acres. A representative from the BWA was not present.

Addressed in the conference call were the concerns listed in David Quarel's letter and immediate actions that could be taken in response including keeping a porta john at the property and reporting any commercial or other unapproved activity.

The main focus was AW's (landowner's) request to develop a local governing council for the property so-to-speak consisting of the parties participating in the conference call to act on AW's guidelines.

Everyone agreed that each club could provide one or two individuals to commit to participating in this council. As planned for the call nothing was written in stone and all were asked to return to each club or organization and get a consensus and a round of opinions on how this should be handled.

Each were asked to follow up with an email to spell out their club's intentions and any concerns or opinions. There will also be a follow up conference call to discuss, date and time to be determined. The same personnel will be on this call.

A request was made to start a thread on AW's forum for open discussion on the matter and when it is up all can comment on it rather than on several different club forums.

Tags: American Whitewater | Elkhorn Creek

Phillip aka "Bubba" and Meagan Sisk are American Whitewater's volunteers of the month for March 2008. This couple from Lexington, Kentucky help each year to make the National Paddling Film Festival a great event. Phillip has been a long time festival volunteer and has coordinated much of the National Paddling Film Festival road show events for the past few years. This year Meagan jumped in at the last minute to make sure all the festival attendees had full bellies both nights at the festival.

This year was the 25th National Paddling Film Festival and the event raised over $3,000 for American Whitewater's stewardship efforts. AW would like to thank everyone who volunteered to make the event such a success, especially Bubba and Meagan!

Kokatat will be proving Phillip and Meagan with free Outer Core Shirts to thank them for their suport of AW's river stewardship efforts.

Tags: American Whitewater

The Nelson County Recycling Center is open on Monday from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m., Wednesday from 4:00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and on Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. You can also go anytime and leave your recyclables by the gate. The center accepts all plastic soda bottles, milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles. For paper they only accept newspaper. No office paper or magazines. For aluminum they only accept coke and beer cans. Click on the picture for more info.


View Larger Map

Tags: Recycling | Environment | Bardstown

The whitewater park builders from Riverestorations.org have completed work on the Avon Whitewater Park in Colorado.

The park was designed by Glenwood-based River Restoration and features three river runs for kayakers Baby Bob, Bob Jr. and Bob Sr., graded from beginner to advanced. Baby Bob provides kayakers who are still wet behind the ears with an opportunity to sharpen their skills. The intermediate freestyle kayaker can throw around some moves on Bob Jr., and Bob Sr. provides challenging entertainment for the most advanced of freestyle kayakers. The terrain is groomed along certain parts of the river and rock beds have been built up bank side to provide kayakers easy access to the water. Additionally, the park features new wetland plantings and a beautifully constructed spectator viewing terraces.

Tags: Whitewater Park | TV

This blog entry is a brief guide for all Bardstown and Nelson County residents who may be looking for a place to recycle their used goods.

There are 4 recycling facilities in Nelson County and each deals with specific materials. Download this PDF file for the Nelson County list of recycling centers. These recycling centers except different types of recyclable materials, from car batteries to paper, plastics and aluminum.

Another way to to recycle is to Freecycle!

The Freecycle Network is a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns and thus keeping good stuff out of landfills. Click on the Freecycle logo to go to the Bardstown & Nelson County Freecycle group page.

And for more good information on how to recycle your junk, visit the Kentucky Division of Waste Management.

We'll see you on the river and at the local recycling center!

Tags: Environment | Recycling | Bardstown

Each year the Bardstown Boaters asks our membership base to help us keep the club alive. One of the main ways that the Bardstown Boaters do this is by renewing our affiliate membership to American Whitewater.

We are now asking for a small donation so that we can raise the $75 needed to renew this affiliate membership. American Whitewater restores rivers dewatered by hydropower dams, eliminates water degradation, improves public land management and protects public access to rivers for responsible recreational use.

Your donation will fund river stewardship work throughout Kentucky and the United States. Support your rivers!

Tags: Membership | Donate

The date for the 2008 Bourbon City Challenge Adventure Race has been set for Sunday, September 14th. Expect an improved course, longer distances and another great year for on of Kentucky's premiere adventure races. Check kyrace.com for the 2007 results and all of the details for the 2008 race as they develop. In the meantime, keep training for the big race.

Tags: Adventure Race

Jay Thomas contributes this trip report from the weekend.

Little River
Elkmount to Sinks
561cfs

Spalding and I did the Little River section from Elkmont campground to the Sinks in the Smokies on Saturday. Weather started out a beautiful sunny 50+ degree day, later getting a bit windy and cooler. Water temp was ice cold. Scenery was sweeeeeet. Continuous class II to II+ rapids for the first 4-5 miles with a couple possible III's with the water level at a lower-than-average 650cfs. Reminded both of us of a continuous Red River run.

I had a battle with a tree limb going though the class III rapid under the road bridge that I won, but the water double teamed me and I flipped and swam. Watched the boat run the next class III without me and disappear around the turn. Spalding was able to catch up with the boat and set up a sweet boat rescue off the pinned predicament it got into. We were able to pull it loose with the help of a throw rope and his new caribeaner. I got my blood flowing again after the cold swim and we scouted and ran the next class III rapid no problem, then I had my second swim after a rock flipped me in a wimpy little rapid. I was done with about 3 miles left so with the road following the river the whole way, I hitchhiked back to the car and came back to get Spalding.

All-in-all the run is awesome! The length of the run, the work needed to constantly rock dodge, the cold, and the hangover got to me toward the end and I was with it enough to call it quits, but what a sweet virgin ride in my new creek boat!

Tags: Little River

Now you can watch all the best whitewater videos your heart can endure and in one place, Bardstown Boaters TV. Right now you can view our personal collection of videos, but in the coming days expect all kinds of great videos to be added to the channel. You can always find the station at www.bardstownboaters.com/tv

Tags: TV

::link::

Tags: The Range Life

Dear Bardstown Boaters,

Thank you for making 2007, our first year sponsoring National River Cleanup™, such a great success. As one of the 500+ river cleanup organizers, and more than 95,000 volunteers, who participated in National River Cleanup, you helped:

• Fill more than 100,000 bags of trash
• Remove more than 600 tons of trash
• Clean up more than 7,000 river miles

As we turn our sights on 2008, we look forward to building on last year's success with an even bigger cleanup season. Though cleanups will happen throughout the year, National River Cleanup™ 2008 officially kicks off May 31. Judging from the early responses we have received, 2008 is likely to be another record setting year.

Additionally, we've recently overhauled our website to include:

• Customizable personal cleanup pages & personalized email communications that you, the organizer, create
• Zip code search so prospective volunteers in your community can easily find your cleanup
• Banners, badges and eCards to spread the word
• Frequently asked questions for organizers & volunteers

We are very excited to offer these services to all organizers and look forward to working with you in 2008.

Visit the American Rivers National River Cleanup web page.

Tags: Paddle Pickup

New in the sport and need to learn how to roll your canoe, kayak, or C-1? Now is the time to get to an indoor pool and learn how to roll. This winter the Bluegrass Wildwater Association and the Viking Canoe Club hold roll sessions in Louisville and Lexington.

Everyone is welcome...even if you have never paddled before. Roll sessions are informal with shared member's boats and equipment available on a first come first served basis or for assured equipment bring your own gear. Experienced paddlers will be volunteering their time to help you get started.

Here is where you can find the roll session you would like to attend:

Bluegrass Wildwater Association
When: Friday nights through March 28th at 7:30pm
Where: North Lexington YMCA
Directions: 381 West Loudon Avenue, Lexington, KY
Cost: $5/members, $10/non-members

Viking Canoe Club
When: Sunday mornings through March 30th
Where: Mary T Meagher Aquatic Center
Directions: 201 Reservoir Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Cost: $4.50/everyone

Tags: Roll Sessions

February 22nd and 23rd will be the 25th Annual NPFF, celebrating 25 years of promoting River Conservation through "The Best in Paddlesport Video and Image Competition".

This year’s Guest Hosts are the winners of the "Best of Festival" and "Accomplished General" awards at NPFF 2007, The Range Life. From NPFF 2008 Video Coordinator, Phillip Sisk:

"The Range Life crew will join us all the way from the Pacific Northwest. TRL is fresh off last year's stunning zip line footage film that took top honors and back from IR’s 'Vacation to Hell' in the Peru jungle this summer. We are excited to bring these boys to the southeast to host the NPFF."

Also, NPFF 2007 Guest Host, John Grace of Lunch Video Magazine, will be returning to do a LVM Premier for NPFF 2008.

We have lots of gear coming in from for the Silent Auction. Some of the items already received are books and shirts from Helliconia Press, an instruction package from the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and BOATS! Plenty of boats from Dagger, WaveSport, and Jackson Kayaks, with more on the way.

The Bluegrass Brewing Company is again providing beverages for the NPFF, and we will have a big Awards Party with great local live talent again this year.

Now for the big news – the NPFF has a new location, the historic Buffalo Trace Distillery Lodge in Frankfort, Kentucky – the oldest continually operating distillery in the U.S.! The Lodge has ample seating and room for the masses, including a bar area off the viewing hall and a full kitchen and dining area in the downstairs area for the Silent Auction and sponsor tables. This location is only 20 minutes further for people coming from I-75, and is actually closer for those coming from I-65. It is centrally located in historic Frankfort, the Capital City of Kentucky. There is ample parking onsite for the event, and we will have a shuttle service set up for those who may party like rock stars. We have a block of 75 rooms reserved at the Capital Plaza Hotel, which is only a half-mile from the event site. Rooms are $74 per night. We will have the reservation forms posted on the NPFF website later this week.

The Downtown Frankfort Tourism Board is excited to have us there. They will be providing goodie bags for attendees, including discounts to the local downtown merchants. There are several good restaurants, including a great pizzeria, a Middle-Eastern restaurant (with belly dancing on Fridays!), a deli, an upscale restaurant, a fantastic wine bar, and several others. We are pulling out all the stops to make the transition to the new location a great one!

Tickets will be on sale online soon, through the generous help of American Whitewater.

Look for updates on our website later this week, and plan to attend the 25th Annual National Paddling Film Festival. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Todd Garland
Director, NPFF 2008

Links:

NPFF website - http://www.surfbwa.org/npff

American Whitewater - http://www.americanwhitewater.org/

The Range Life - http://www.therangelife.blogspot.com/

Buffalo Trace Distillery - http://www.buffalotrace.com/

The Capital Plaza Hotel - http://www.capitalplazaky.com/

Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist & Convention Committee - http://www.visitfrankfort.com/

Tags: NPFF

Here is a trip report from Jay Thomas part of the duo of hiking Bardstown Boater brothers, Jay & John Thomas.

John and I got to Yahoo Falls parking area at the northern end of the Big South Fork around 1 on Saturday and hurried to try and get on the trail in front of a group of 12 boy scouts from Oakridge, TN. We soon came to the overlook to Yahoo Falls, the tallest waterfall in KY, took a glance and then climbed out of the hollow up to Yahoo Arch. The Arch was really cool, one of my favorite arches to date.

We crossed the road we drove in on, Hwy 700, and continued on the Negro Creek trail. The trail started on top of the knob but even as we descended on the trail we stayed well above the Negro Creek. However, multiple sounds of waterfalls and cascades led us on some side trail bush wacking to some great spots. Negro Trail t-bones the Sheltowee Trace at the mouth of the Creek into the Big South Fork. The area has a large flat camping spot equipped with a large rock fire pit. From talking with the boy scouts earlier we knew their plans of camping at the spot (perfect for a large group), and we continued south on the Sheltowee toward Lick Creek. This trail section follows the BSF upstream and is fairly flat and uneventful except for some really cool beaver woodwork. Also it turns into an ATV playground of paths and camping spots.

At Lick Creek we left the Sheltowee to continue on Lick Creek trail and reached Princess Falls, an 15 foot curtain falls down away from the trail. There is a great flat camp spot enough for 4 or 5 tents with a rock fire pit and rock seating. We took advantage of the spot and quickly got a hot fire going. In the morning we backtracked to Negro Creek where the boy scouts had already packed and gone. Continued on the Sheltowee north to Cotton Patch Hollow, Alum Ford Campground, and then back in the Yahoo Falls Scenic Area. After passing some cool waterfalls and good scenery we finaly arrived to the base of Yahoo Falls. Very Cool and a great end to the trip. The pack up the four flights of stairs to the parking was exhausting; i wish they made the handrails wide enough for backpacks. Conclusively it was a very cool trip, one I'm sure we'll be back to.

Also the boy scout group said their trailer full of gear was stolen out of their church parking lot at Christmas time. I saw one of them pick up an old skillet previously left at the Negro Creek campground like it was a Playboy mag, so I don't feel they were bullshittin. After we got back I emailed a couple places and tried looking up their contact info online to pass around, but if anyone has any outdated or extra gear you want to get rid of I can see if I can reach them some how.

Tags: Hiking

Spalding Hurst checked in with this trip report of the Rio Pacaure, a river he ran while on his honeymoon in Costa Rica.

Hola! Costa Rica has been great. The scenery and the wildlife are amazing. On this trip, Jennifer and I have seen Howler Monkeys, Iguanas, Parrots, Toucans, Sloths and more exotic birds than I can count. The rivers are flowing from everywhere. From volcanoes and from mountains. My run on the class III-IV Lower Rio Pacaure was one I will never forget.

Jennifer and I rolled into town on Monday evening. We went to the first outfitter in the town of Turrialba. This was RainForrest World, an outfitter opened by West Virginian Phil Coleman. I told them I wanted to go kayaking, that I had my own gear, I just needed a paddle and a boat. They had me setup up for a trip the next day in about 3 minutes.

The next morning I came back to join 2 rafts, a cataraft and the chase boater, a local named Ryan, who would also be kayaking and showing me the lines. The section we ran was 16 miles long, so it was a full day. We stopped and had lunch half way through, close to where an indigenous tribal family lived on the river. We saw the local children playing at the river and running rapids on their homemade balsa wood poles.

The rapids were constant on the Pacaure, it was never a dull moment. The river was mostly class III and III+, but There were five class IV rapids mixed in. The first 2 being the hardest (Upper & Lower Huacas Falls), the last 3 being the most fun.

Half way down the run a kayaker from Colorado joined our group. It was good to have another kayker in the mix. The Cataraft had a couple from Reno guiding it down. They were doing research on the Rio Pacaure and the effect of the waterway on the indigenous people who live near it.

I paddled a very used Dagger Nomad 8.5 and this thing was huge. It made blasting through some holes much easier, but I did surf in it a little. Overall the boat performed well for me. I only missed one line on the hardest rapid, but I ended up where I wanted to be.

This trip made me realize why I love paddling. This trip makes me want to paddle more, explore more, see more and travel more. I can't wait for my next day on the river, rather it be the Elkhorn in Frankfort, Kentucky or the Pacaure in Costa Rica!

Tags: Costa Rica | Rio Pacaure